Councils urged to follow CLG example on spending transparency

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has called on councils to open up their spending to public scrutiny after publishing details of all expenditure above £500 by his own department.

The disclosure is part of a government-wide drive to increase transparency surrounding the use of taxpayers' money and every Whitehall ministry has released data on outlays of more than £25,000.
 
However, Mr Pickles said that as he has set the threshold at £500 for councils, the Department for Communities and Local Government will "play by those same rules". The figures cover the period from July to September and although this is after the coalition government took office, the minister pointed out that much of the expenditure actually relates to commitments made by the previous administration.

"What I now want to see is every local authority opening their books up to the public gaze to increase accountability and help save money," Mr Pickles commented. He added some may find the "sunlight of openness" uncomfortable but it will ultimately protect frontline services and keep council tax down.

In related news, Mr Pickles recently announced that the government will make £650 million available to English town halls, fire and police authorities that maintain or reduce their council tax charges in 2011.

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